Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.
Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image, he told elected representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party.
He stated that Israel should be treated similarly to Russia concerning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine starting in 2022.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by labeling the Spanish prime minister a disgrace, accusing him of inciting pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, which had led to the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, in which an Israeli team was competing.
Sánchez publicly expressed that past protests during the three-week race had illustrated Spain's commitment to the Gaza issue.
Several Spanish government ministers praised the protest, noting that around 100,000 people participated. Óscar López, the minister of digital transformation, claimed it was a relief to see so many mobilizing against what he termed genocide.
Conversely, Israel consistently denies allegations of genocide, asserting that its military actions are acts of self-defense.
In addition, Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun echoed Sánchez's earlier calls to prevent Israel from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, alongside similar sentiments from other European public broadcasters.
Following escalating violence in Gaza, the Spanish government has taken a firm stance on Israel, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations that intensified notably after Sánchez's denunciations of Israel’s military actions.
A recent poll revealed that a significant majority of Spaniards believe genocide is occurring in Gaza, while calls for a more substantial European response to the situation have grown, including proposals for sanctions against Israel.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, with accusations and expressions of solidarity impacting diplomatic relations and cultural events alike.
